Bard of the Wild (Chapter 19) (Patreon)

Alright, so, I've picked up something fairly interesting.

Well, besides the spell that lets me construct a stable shelter.

Weapon storm.

Is a simple little spell that, well, hits something up to five additional times whenever I strike something.

THIS is what I was talking about when I called third party spells broken as shit.

I did consider for a moment getting the second level spell 'Reverse Gender' so I could walk into Gerudo town when we inevitably go there, but I felt like that would have been a tremendous waste... also I'm not really into gender benders.

Anyways, Weapon Storm creates one 'weapon made of force' every three levels I have to a maximum of five at level fifteen.

What these little force weapons do, is that whenever I strike something... they also strike something. But, it is worth noting that they do lack some of the damage.

They only deal the weapon's 'base damage'.

For example, a simple longsword.

Say for instance you have strength comparable to my own, you deal one d-eight worth of damage, then add your strength modifier of four to it- with four increasing to six if you wield it in two hands. You have a weapon that deals anywhere from five to a maximum of fourteen damage when wielded in two hands. Twenty-eight damage if it is a critical hit.

That's not bad.

But what this spell does, is improve the base damage so, at level three, it makes one, level six it makes two, level nine, which is the highest variant I am able to cast, it makes three.

But. This is only the 'base' damage for the weapon, no strength, critical hits, or feats like 'Power Attack' or 'Weapon Specialization.

Thus, in-game, a single strike with my longsword would be dealing four D-eight, plus my strength of four.

So, I'd be dealing anywhere from eight to thirty eight damage... or, like, fifty two on a critical hit.

Now, that's good and stuff.

But this says base weapon.

The entire base weapon.

Say for instance, if you sword is a 'plus one weapon', that little plus one damage... it becomes a plus four in this scenario.

If you weapon deals a D-six of fire damage... that's four D-Six.

If you take into account the master sword in its current state... four D-Eight, plus ten, plus four D-ten against the calamity...

Now multiply that by four, up to six at fifteenth level.

Heh...

Heheheh.

Ganon is doomed.

If it functions even slightly similar to in-game, that is.

In game it is utterly broken, here it could reasonably be worse as I don't really have 'damage dice' whenever I slash the fuck out of something.

If I stab someone in the ankle, they'll probably not die instantly, but if I shank someone in the forehead with a dagger, they'd probably croak instantly, regardless of the simple and meager D-four damage.

I had like two other possible options I was considering, the first, 'Hand of the Marksman', which is a spell that makes you automatically threaten a critical hit with your next ranged attack, then, after that, 'Greater Shadow Sentry', which summoned just like... a dude made of shadow... for hours at a time to guard a place, one that deals reasonable damage and has fairly reasonable health at twenty five.

The main plan for him would be to summon him- and as many other versions of him as I could- in combat as a sort of zerg meat shield.

Useful, but not as useful as a- supposed- multiplier to damage.

I gaze out into the canopy of trees above my head as the sun begins to peek over the distant mountains.

A tree branch cracks behind me as Linkle stumbles out of the cave, fighting back a yawn.

"Good morning." I greet.

"Morning..." She tiredly replies as she rubs her eye. She yawns again, looking over me. "You're up early..."

"This ring makes it so I only need about two hours of sleep." I casually explain while gesturing to the ring of sustenance.

Speaking of d&d magic items... last night I finally picked the items I have been putting off.

An item worth sixteen thousand gold, and an item worth ten thousand.

I got myself a Necklace of Fireballs type seven- with some modifications to really get my full money's worth, basically just an extra fireball bead, then, an Item I literally couldn't afford to NOT get...

Lyre of building.

Probably the most overpowered item in all of pathfinder. One I'll be making use of eventually. Probably to dig out Vah Sarin.

Anyways, Linkle slept quite a while... nearly a full twelve hours. The poison apparently took quite a toll on her.

But she appears to be better now, so that's good.

"Is Purah around?" She tiredly questions.

"Yeah. She woke up not that long ago." I nod quietly. "She's been messing around with that Sparkshot thing."

"Hm? Oh. Good for her." Linkle hums as she raises her arms above her head, letting out a strained 'hnnng' as she stretches.

She reaches down to her sheikah slate and pulls out a flask of water, quietly taking a drink. "Shall we go back to Vah Marak?"

"Sure. We need to get that girl out of the amber... and after that, me and you... we're doing some training."

"Training?" She echoes.

"Mhm." I nod slowly. "I'm going to see if I can teach you my Sheikah arts."

"Oh... okay." She notes, emotionally muted and still sounding a bit tired.

She'll liven up in like thirty minutes or so... she always does.

[Split]

The mist has really cleared out... huh...

We didn't even need the mask of truth to lead us through the forest this time.

Of course, we nearly overshot the little pond as it is still a little foggy, but we didn't get turned around and thoroughly lost, so there's that.

"So... this is the place, hm?" Purah questions.

"Yeah." Linkle nods slowly.

"That water's a bit ominous..." Purah frowns.

"Yep." I agree. "Also burnt my feet when I leapt off it."

"It seems to have leaked from the damaged divine beast... some form of mildly acidic solution... it has been mildly diluted by the water, at the very least. And that tree stump... you thought it was a deku tree, right?"

"Mhm." Linkle nods.

"If we get closer, I could probably tell when it was cut down." Purah observes blandly.

I wordlessly scoop up both girls, one under each arm, them rush forwards and leap across the water, Purah letting out a small shout of protest as we manage to clear the gap and land on the other side.

"I could have jumped myself." The woman frowns.

"Oh. Okay. I'll keep that in mind." I note as she crouches down, fingers brushing against the stump underfoot.

"This tree... was cut down about... nine thousand years ago it looks like." She informs. "And, at the time of its destruction... it looked to be about four thousand years old... quite a bit older than the Great Deku Tree's three thousand."

She ponders for a moment. "There's a few things to note, though. Firstly, it looks as if was destroyed by... Sheikah hands... the cuts look very similar to a Sheikah Bladesaw... just much larger in scale... secondly, it is indeed a Deku Tree or something similar."

"If I had to hypothesize, I would say that the divine beast killed this tree. It must have some sort of saw weapon on it... it also didn't cut all the way through the tree, only getting about half way before it was pulled away it appears." She hums with intrigue.

"If the tree was cut down nine thousand years ago... that must mean the girl trapped in Amber is nine thousand years old at the very least."

"Fascinating!" Purah beams. "Let's go see her!"

"Before that. Tell us if the air around us is poisonous."

Purah glances around briefly. "It's a lot better than it was yesterday. It'll probably clear up before we even get a headache. But knowing how it apparently got worse when you got closer to the source, I'll keep an eye out... don't worry."

We begin walking downwards.

"Something seems to have carved these holes... unusual."

"Diahandla, think... like... a flower but with teeth. This place was absolutely covered in similar plants. Be careful as I don't know if we got them all yet and they seem to be poisonous." Linkle continues.

""Venomous."" Purah corrects at the same time I do.

"You two can go fuck yourselves." The girl with pigtails sighs in annoyance.

"Hmmm we might." The woman smirks "I'm still infertile and ready for our hunky hero here to ravage me at any moment."

"Mhm?" Linkle stares blankly.

I give her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

After a little more walking we come to the girl trapped in amber.

"Huh..." Purah mutters as she steps forwards. "Yeah. That's definitely venom..."

"And the floor is made of floor." I reply with a raised eyebrow. "Tell us what we don't know."

"Well... this girl isn't a Hylian... or a Sheikah... or Gerudo... frankly, I have never seen anything like her before." The woman announces blandly as she closes her eyes, thinking deeply for a long moment.

"A... Kokiri?" She mutters, seemingly grabbing her information from the past lives of those who held the Tri-force of Knowledge. "Whats a Kokiri?"

Ah.

That's...

That's Saria... isn't it.

"Alright, so they are an ageless race that stays young seemingly forever." Purah explains, once more getting her information from the past lives. "My real question is 'why are there none today?'. From my estimations, she was put there about the same time the tree outside was cut down."

"Can you break her out?" I ask.

"Oh, of course." Purah nods. "I'm just not sure if I should as she might die shortly unless we can do something about that calamitous poison running through her veins."

"Don't you mean venom?" Linkle deadpans.

"Touche."

"I can try and remove the pois-er venom." I quickly correct as Linkle shoots me a fierce glare.

Eh, shouldn't have teased her about that. I reap what I sow.

"Anyways, Purah, let me know if I succeed. Then we can bust this girl out and we'll have an accurate source of information on the first Calamity." I mutter as I reach out and touch the amber, closing my eyes.

A warm glow extends from my hand and courses through the amber.

"..."

I look to Purah.

"Didn't work."

"Seriously?!" I blink owlishly.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, it's weakened, but you didn't get it all." The scientist informs.

"Alright." I mutter under my breath as I do it again.

"That did it." Purah nods. "Step aside."

"Okay?"

"..."

Purah draws her pistol.

"Oh you have got to be fucking-"

*BANG!*

*BANG!*

*BANG!*

My hands come up to my ringing ears, a twitching smile on my face, Linkle also appears to bothered, clutching her own pointed ears.

"Fffff- what the HELL is that?!" She screams.

Ah... that's the first time she has seen a gun, right? I mean, Purah had pointed it in our general vicinity in the past before she knew it was us, but I don't think she ever fired it.

*Crack*

Cracks cascade throughout the amber cocoon before shattering like dust.

Purah's hand swings forwards, snagging the small ocarina from the air before it can hit the ground.

She looks over it briefly before offering it to me.

*Ping*

You Have Unlocked an Achievement:
Free Saria:
A girl from a time long past. Seemingly the last of her race. Perhaps she could shed some light on the mysteries within this world.
Reward: 4000 Experience

"I think that this is her's." I note with a half-lidded stare as I look down at the instrument sat in my palm.

Forest Ocarina:
Saria's prized possession, a magical Ocarina that holds the very essence of the forest.
This Ocarina treats your level as being 4 higher for the purposes of your bardic performances involving it. This also extends to any bardic masterpieces you play involving the Ocarina and any spells that uses the Ocarina like 'Solid Note' or 'Chord of Shards'.
Finally, any Bardic Effect you create with this harp has its effects multiplied by 1.25. This extends to Bardic Masterpieces.
Grants the user the 'Leaf Singer' feat if they do not otherwise have it.
Has a special interaction with Saria's Song, pointing you towards your next 'objective'.

This...

Is just a weaker Hyrule Aria.

That last little bit, though...

Points towards our next objective?

I shake my head.

No.

This is apparently Saria's prized possession. I'm not going to steal it from her just to get an easy pointer.

But I'm not above forcing her to follow us for a little while. It's the least she can do, after all, we're trying to save Hyrule here.

"We should get her out of here." I note as Linkle nods slowly.

"She'll be knocked out for at least a couple of days... probably." Purah waves off as we look down at the unconscious green haired girl crumpled on the floor.

"We should still take her back to the Deku Tree's meadow before going any deeper.

"oooor... we could split up~" Purah grins mischievously.

I slowly turn to Linkle. "Ten Rupees she takes a single step and gets bit by one of those plant things and fucking dies before we are able to make it back."

"Yeah. It's a bad idea." The blonde agrees. "We don't know if we did get all of those things... and you can't see in the dark."

"Then lend me the mask of truth?"

"..."

"Linkle Pleaaaaaase. My entire life I have wanted to get up inside one of these things to see how they tick! Asking me to wait when the door is literally two steps in front of me is cruel and unusual punishment!"

"Fffffine." The blonde relents with a low hiss. "But if you get yourself killed by being an idiot, I'm going to find a way to revive you just so I can kill you again."

"You worry too much, Linkle... I'll be careful!" The white haired woman waves off.

Linkle hands over the mask of truth then helps me place the unconscious girl on my back as I put her ocarina in my bag for now, merely so I don't drop it while leaping across the pond.

I lift the girl, looping my hands under her legs as her arms are draped limply over my shoulder.

A bonus objective has been completed.

'huh?'

Swords of Sealing:
Across Hyrule there are apparently half a dozen Master Swords lingering about... how strange... oh well, just another thing to collect! I wonder if any of the other important Legend of Zelda weapons are just lying around?
Objectives:
Retrieve the weapons that (can) seal the darkness: 2/6

Bonus Objective:
1: Reclaim the Kokiri Sword: [x]

Rewards:
Bonus 1: 5000 Experience

I glance over my shoulder to the blade attached to her lower back.

"Hey Linkle... can you show me that sword for a second?"

The girl tilts her head slightly, but then shrugs and unsheathes the blade.

Yeah... that's the Kokiri sword. A short gladius-like blade with a C shaped wooden handguard that has a red gem in the middle.

Kokiri Sword:
Hardness: 14
Health: 75
Weight: 2.5
Damage: 2d6+6+Dex
Crit Range: 19-20 (x2)
Light Frame: The Kokiri Sword naturally uses the wielder's Dexterity instead of strength for damage unlike most melee weapons.
Archer's Friend: Attacks with a ranged weapon have +2 to hit and deal an additional 1d6+2 damage per shot.

Huh...

"Hang on... it enhances archery?"

"Wait... what?" Linkle whispers.

"Merely by having that blade sheathed on your somewhere, your arrows will find their targets easier and deal more damage."

A brief glint of greed appears in Linkle's eyes for a moment before she shakes her head and sheathes the weapon. "Eh, that's cool, I guess. Does that mean this girl is an archer? Where's her bow?"

"No clue." I reply, now noting that Purah has slipped off into the divine beast while we were examining this girl's stuff. "She does have a quiver of arrows, though."

Linkle slips the sword into my bag of holding, once more so it isn't dropped as we make our way back towards the surface.

We will probably remain here in the lost woods for some time. At least to train a little bit, allow Purah to tinker, and to wait for our newest lead here to wake up.

[Split]

I duck a punch, responding with an uppercut that is narrowly avoided.

My opponent breathes heavily, sweat pooling on her brow.

Linkle stands across from me, hands raised like a Boxer would.

I dart forwards, jabbing at her quickly, the first she narrowly dodges, and the second she blocks with her forearms.

I sharply inhale as I punch what is literally just metal arm bracers.

"Fffff" I quietly hiss as I duck her kick.

She seems to favor kicks I've come to find out.

Her upper body strength is a little lacking, but eh, them legs. Ohohoh yeah.

I sweep her remaining leg, causing her to begin falling backwards.

She takes being knocked flat on her ass like a champ, quickly rolling backwards, away from my follow up kick.

She rolls back, and with a single backwards somersault she returns to her feet.

She swings a brutal haymaker at my head, but I smirk and block it with the metal plates across my own armor's forearms.

"FFFFFUUUUUH." She growls while cradling her fist. "FUCK!"

"Doesn't feel too good, now does it, bitch."

"Fuck you Aurum."

She punches towards me again, but I step past, tilting her head up with my hand as my other strokes her thigh, a small smirk on my face. "Maybe if we have enough time~"

Her eyes narrow before widening slightly.

I am lifted off the ground by her next punch, hurled a good ten before I land flat on my back with a wheeze.

"I... I did it?!" She gasps, looking down at her hands. "I think?"

"I'm so happy for you." I groan as I quietly roll on the floor.

"Just heal yourself you big baby."

"Give me a sec to..." A sigh of relief leaves my lips as golden light surrounds both of us at the same time. Linkle rolls her wrist slowly then looks to her knuckles, clenching and unclenching her fist.

"Oh good, I think you fixed my knuckle." She notes. "So... anyways about this 'chi' stuff... you feel it about here, right?"

She gestures to her core.

"Yeah." I nod slowly. "Can you feel it coursing through your body like veins?"

"Ah... sort of? I wouldn't say my whole body, just sort of up and down my arms?" She mutters while doing a few lightning quick jabs. "My punches definitely feel stronger, though. That's useful."

"So, when do I start being able to run on water and create clones?" The girl smirks.

"Eventually." I shrug.

She has certainly made progress.

In just two days she unlocked that weird chi power the Sheikah have.

Now, I don't exactly know how long a 'normal' person would learn it in, but I assume two days is pretty damn impressive if not borderline impossible.

I pause as I hear a small rustle.

It appears Linkle hears it as well.

We both turn to the side, approaching the little crack in the rock.

I walk forwards, silently casting detect thoughts.

I peer into the little hollow, seeing the green haired girl shift slightly.

She is waking up, it appears... her consciousness returning.

"Get some water." I whisper to Linkle.

She reaches down towards her Sheikah slate and summons a waterskin

I watch the green haired girl shake slightly as she sits up, a tired haze on her face.

"Oh... you're finally awake?" I question as I step forwards, causing the girl to flinch, bringing a hand up to her chest. Her blue eyes dart around the room, eventually falling to the sword on my back.

"Wh- where am I?" She gasps. "What happened to Makar?! To the great deku tree?!"

"Shhh. Calm down. Take a deep breath." I gently placate, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder.

Her hands shake briefly, but she does as I say, taking a deep calming breath while closing her eyes.

She then breaks down into coughs, prompting Linkle to step forwards and offer her water. "Are you alright?"

The girl takes the waterskin and greedily drinks from it, managing to get about half way through it before she speaks again, looking over Linkle and myself inquisitively.

"Sheikah?"

"Sheikah." I gesture to myself then to Linkle with a thumb. "Hylian."

"Oh... right, the hair should have given that away." The girl shakes her head. "Sorry, my head's a bit foggy."

She rubs her head quietly, before her eyes snap open. "Vah Sarin!"

Linkle and I flinch back slightly.

Huh? Wait... does she have something to do with Vah Sarin?!

"Don't worry about the divine beasts."

"Divine beasts?" The girl echoes.

"Oh, y'know. The giant mechanical things that look like animals and can change the terrain around them for miles upon miles."

"Oh... you mean the Ars Mechanica?" She asks.

"Eh. Divine beast is a lot simpler." Linkle shrugs.

"But they aren't divine in any way!" The girl protests.

"I mean, what do normal people think when they see a mountain sized spider... or like, a giant bird?" I question. "'Oh. Those must be divine in nature and they look like beasts'."

"That is..."

"Most people refer to them as Divine Beasts nowadays." I continue.

The girl's eyes lock onto the blade on Linkle's back.

"Wh- the master sword?!" She gasps, giving Linkle some pause.

"You know about the master sword?"

"Of course!" The green haired Kokiri smiles brightly. "I knew one of the previous wielders! It's incredible that it has found another wielder after a thousand years! I was beginning to think that it never would... of course, the prophesized return of the calamity is still ages away, but you could do some real good with that sword!"

She... she doesn't know.

"Um..." Linkle begins quietly. "So... What is your name?"

"Oh. That was sort of rude of me." The girl replies. "My name is Saria... one of the sixteen sages who piloted the Ars Mechanica."

She cringes slightly. "And- and... probably the last one... the last one that is alive... at least..."

A long sigh leaves her lips as she brings her legs to her chest, peering over her knees sadly. "So... what about you two?"

"My name is Aurum." I reply.

"I'm Linkle!" The girl to my left cheerfully hums.

"I- wait..." She stares blankly over my shoulder towards the sword that looks eerily similar to the master sword. "Is that- no... I could have sworn-"

"What is it?" I question.

"Is- Is that a second master sword?!" She gasps, rocketing to her feet.

Her body seems a bit strained as she nearly faints on the spot from the action, Linkle and I lunging forwards to catch her before her legs give out.

I gently sit her back on the moss covered rock as she looks a little bit bashful.

"It is!" She exclaims using me carrying her as an opportunity to study the blade a bit closer, eyes wide. "I didn't know such a sword existed! From what I can tell, it's a bit weaker than the original though..."

"It's currently in a power saving mode as my body couldn't withstand its full power." I admit.

"Wh- it can do that?!" The girl gasps. "That must mean it is a second iteration of the master sword! Did someone seriously make a new and improved version?!"

"It's... a bit strange that I didn't hear about it... this seems like something I'd be notified of." She whispers, a look of intrigue on her face. "But the fact that it exists is already an incredible boon! And with these improvements placed upon it?! The main issue with the master sword was how picky it was with wielders, they need to have a pure heart, courage, determination, and the physical strength to wield it... if your sword can really control its output... that means one of those requirements has been tossed out the window! That' incredible!"

"We were only able to barely restrain the calamity a thousand years ago... a second sword that seals the darkness might even allow future generations to kill it when it breaks out!"

"Of course... the divine beasts need to be repaired due to the inactivity they've faced in the past couple hundred years, but I was planning on getting to that after King Harkinian dies of old age... shortsighted fool."

"Who?" Linkle mutters.

"Wait... you don't know King Harkinian? You know, the king of Hyrule?" The green haired girl questions.

Linkle and I share a glance as I focus briefly, she seems to be reading my thoughts thanks to the spell I cast, and I read hers 'How should we ease her into this... she doesn't know nine thousand years have passed.'

'I don't know.' She replies. 'let me try this.'

Linkle turns back to the green haired girl. "Saria, we found you injured... can you tell us what lead up to that situation?"